Around the region

Wednesday

Nov 29, 2017 at 11:00 AMDec 4, 2017 at 3:08 PM

Friday, Dec. 1

Trinity Episcopal Church Festival of Trees: 7-9 p.m. Dec. 1 and 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Dec. 2, Trinity Episcopal Church, 131 W. Emerson St., Melrose. Free. For information: http://trinitymelrose.org. Trinity Episcopal Church's Festival of Trees will begin with a gala reception on Dec. 1, featuring music and refreshments. Visitors will be able to wander through the array of more than 60 miniature trees and baskets, available by raffle. The evening will also include a silent auction with items from local businesses, surprises and a shopping boutique with crafts, gifts and Project Bread holiday cards. The festival will continue on Dec. 2 with the addition of children's crafts, a bake shop with cookies and candies, and a “special treasures” sale in the Trinity thrift shop. Saturday's event will also include breakfast featuring Swedish waffles, and a luncheon featuring Roland's homemade corn chowder.

Saturday, Dec. 2

“Broadhearth” Holiday Pop-up Shop and Open House: 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site, 244 Central St. For information: 781-233-0050; http://nps.gov/sair. The community is invited to attend a winter opening of the Iron Works House. Guests will step back in time and enjoy light refreshments, early music and shop Eastern National's Pop-up Shop, “Broadhearth,” for items inspired by “Old America.” Francis Conover Fitch, a musician and teacher, will deliver a performance of the virginal, a keyboard instrument of the harpsichord family, from 10-11 a.m. Dec. 2.

Melrose Unitarian Universalist Church Alternative Holiday Fair and Café: 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Melrose Unitarian Universalist Church, 70 W. Emerson St. Free. For information: alternativefair@melroseuu.org. The Alternative Fair is an “alternative” to mall shopping and provides a market for interesting handmade items from many countries. Fair trade coffee, chocolate and tea are available, and several businesses will be selling their wares. Local and international charitable causes will also be available for information and will be accepting donations. The Cafe Kitchen will be serving homemade soup and grilled cheese sandwiches for lunch.

Lincoln Elementary School Holiday Craft Fair: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Dec. 2, Lincoln Elementary School, 80 W. Wyoming Ave., Melrose. Free. For information: 617-823-7877; janeroper@gmail.com. This event, organized by the PTO, will be accessible from the Melrose Chamber of Commerce's “Home for the Holidays” event trolley route. Shoppers will have the opportunity to browse and buy gifts from more than 30 crafters and artisans, including many local vendors. Holiday wreaths and greens will also be available for sale, as well as a large variety of baked goods. Children can make holiday-themed crafts for $1 each at three make-your-own craft stations. Pizza by the slice will also be available for purchase.

Vernon Street Open Studios: noon to 6 p.m. Dec. 2-3, Vernon Street Artist Studios, 6 & 20 Vernon St., Somerville. For information: http://www.vernonstreet.com. Vernon Street Studios will host their annual open studios. Each year, the artists of 6 and 20 Vernon St., Somerville, welcome the public into their work spaces. During this showcase for the arts, mid-career and emerging artists working across a broad spectrum of fine art styles and craft media — including painting, photography, print-making, sculpture, glass, fiber, jewelry, furniture and ceramics — will exhibit and sell their work. In the spirit of giving and good will, Vernon Street Studios encourages visitors to bring a contribution to the open studios' canned food drive, benefiting the Somerville Homeless Coalition. Drop-off will be at designated locations on the day of the event at 6 and 20 Vernon St. The following are the items most in need: canned tomatoes, low sugar cereal, juice, peanut butter, dried rice, canned tuna, kids snacks and dried beans.

Reading Community Singers present “Making Spirits Bright”: 3 p.m., Old South United Methodist Church, 6 Salem St., Reading. For tickets: 781-249-3444; http://readingcommunitysingers.org. The Reading Community Singers have announced their upcoming holiday concert program, titled “Making Spirits Bright.” The show will include holiday favorites and newer pieces. An additional performance will take place at the same time and place on Dec. 3.

“A Christmas Story”: 7-9 p.m., Malden High School, Jenkins Auditorium, 77 Salem St. Cost: $5-$10. For information: 781-397-6000, ext. 1308; mseager@maldenps.org. The Malden High School Fines Art Club is presenting the second annual reading of Charles Dickens “A Christmas Story.” Featuring the Malden High School Choral Arts, directed by Todd Cole. Readers for the evening performance will be Evan Mauser, Christine Grillon, Greg Simone, all of Malden High School. Richard Freeman is the director of MHS Alumni Chorus. Mayor Gary Christenson will be in attendance. This event will benefit MHS student's funds.

David Massengill, Terry Kitchen and Rob Lytle: 7:30-10:30 p.m., Arts at the Armory Cafe, 91 Highland Ave., Somerville. Cost: $10. The show begins at 7:30 p.m. with an open mic. Email SomervilleSongwriterSessions@gmail.com to reserve an open mic slot. For information: http://artsatthearmory.org. Somerville Songwriter Sessions at the Armory Cafe will present a concert with New York folksinger David Massengill, Boston singer-songwriter Terry Kitchen and Martha's Vineyard singer-songwriter Rob Lytle. The concert will feature a solo set by each artist, followed by a round robin song swap.

“A Charlie Brown Christmas”: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 2, 8 and 9; 2 p.m. Dec. 3 and 10, American Legion Post 210, 44 Taylor St., Saugus. Cost: $15-$20. For ticket and information: 781-816-7019; TCSaugus@gmail.com; http://TCSaugus.org. The Theatre Company of Saugus presents its holiday season show for 2017, including two short plays: “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” based on the Peanuts television special, and “A Christmas Carol - Readers Theatre,” based on the novel by Charles Dickens.

Sunday, Dec. 3

Mt. Hood Children's Holiday Party: 1-3 p.m., Mount Hood Clubhouse, 100 Slayton Road, Melrose. Free. All children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. For information: 781-665-8172. As part of the Home for the Holidays Celebration in Melrose, the Mt. Hood Park Association invites the public to attend their annual Children's Holiday Party. This festive event will feature live musical entertainment, a visit by Santa Claus and children sing-alongs. Desserts and refreshments will be served. The Balloon Magic of Yarrow will twist balloons into various shapes and give them to children in attendance. Also included again this year will be a free children's raffle.

Carols & Cookies holiday concert: 3 p.m., Galvin Middle School, 525 Main St., Wakefield. The Middlesex Concert Band presents Carols & Cookies — a holiday concert performed by the Middlesex Concert Band. The First Baptist Church of Wakefield Handbell Choir will also perform. A cookie walk will take place after the concert.

Tuesday, Dec. 5

BoSwaMoCo at the Reading Public Library: 4 p.m., Reading Public Library, 80 General Way. Free. For information: http://www.readingpl.org. The annual BoSwaMoCo — Book Swap, Movie & Cocoa — is back at Reading Public Library. The movie will be “Labyrinth,” rated PG, complete with audience participation games. Grades 6-12 are welcome. No registration is necessary. This event was created with the help of the library's Teen Advisory Group and is sponsored by Friends of Reading Public Library.

The Author's Corner with Casey Sherman and Dave Wedge: 7:30 p.m., Melrose Public Library, 69 W. Emerson St. Free. Registration is required. For information and to sign up:http://www.melrosepubliclibrary.org. The Author's Corner at the Melrose Public Library will host veteran journalists Casey Sherman and Dave Wedge, who will be talking about their new book, “The Ice Bucket Challenge: Pete Frates and the Fight Against ALS.” While many know of the Ice Bucket Challenge, the viral craze that swept the nation in summer 2014, few know the story behind it. Pete Frates was a man at war with his own body. A man whose love for others was unshakable. A man who refused to fight alone, and in so doing mobilized a global army to combat one of the most devastating diseases on earth: ALS, or Lou Gehrig's disease. When disease crippled Frates, the former Boston College baseball star turned tragedy into inspiration. His story is a testament to the power of love, the steadfastness of family, the generosity of strangers, and the compassion of crowds. Half of the authors' proceeds will go to the Frates family.

Thursday, Dec. 7

Book Launch: “Intimacy with the Wind,” poems by Carla Schwartz: 7:30-9 p.m., Center for the Arts at the Armory, Cafe, 191 Highland Ave., Somerville. Free. For information: http://artsatthearmory.org. The Center for the Arts at the Armory will host a poetry reading, book-signing and photo/video exposé for Carla Schwartz's new book of poetry, “Intimacy with the Wind.” The event will include light snacks and food and drink available for purchase at the cafe. Books may be purchased in advance at https://www.amazon.com/Intimacy-Wind-Carla-Schwartz/dp/1635343097.